ming when we
can whoop 'er up for Old Glory as much as we please. Then we'll make up
for to-day. We can't expect to do much under these conditions, you
know."

The day following (a fine, _cool_, bright one, and how we did appreciate
it!) was spent by all hands in getting the ship spick and span for the
inspection of visitors, who were sure to be on hand to welcome us.

The semi-weekly ceremony of airing hammocks and bedding was indulged in.
The bugler blew "hammocks," whereupon all hands lined up to receive them
from the stowers. They were then unlashed on the gun deck, and inspected
by the officers of the different divisions, who ordered that they should
be taken up to the spar deck. The blankets and mattresses were spread
wherever sun and breeze could get at them. The rail, as well as the
boats, was covered with them. Red blankets flaunted in the breeze from
the rigging till we resembled an anarchist emigrant ship.

The marines aired their hammocks on the forecastle deck in the
neighborhood of their guns.

After an hour or two, the word was passed to "stow hammocks," and soon
all was shipshape again.

This duty was performed once or twice a week, the frequency depending
on weather and circumstances.

Wednesday, July 6th, we passed Sandy Hook and entered New York harbor,
just thirty-six days since we left it.

As we made our way up the channel, a pilot boat hailed us and told us of
Sampson and Schley's glorious victory over Cervera.

Though our joy was great and our enthusiasm intense, we were greatly
disappointed that we were not in at the death. We felt sure that if we
had been there our skipper would have worked the old craft in near
enough to have given us a shot.

We steamed on up the bay and through the Narrows, the happiest lot of
Jackies afloat. The captain of every vessel we met pulled his whistle
cord until the steam gave out, and the passengers cheered and waved
their handkerchiefs, or whatever came handy.

The health officer passed us in a jiffy, and before eight bells struck
we were safely at anchor off Tompkinsville.

It transpired that we had been sent North on account of a yellow fever
scare. The health officer proved that the fear was groundless. Again we
set to work cleaning, scrubbing, polishing, and painting, so by the time
our friends came crowding aboard, the ship was as neat as a new pin.

The visitors--how glad we were to see them! Only one who has looked
danger in the face and re